NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 

 The Creeper. 



(Genus — Salpornis,) 



Diet. — Insects which it obtains from and under the bark of 

 tree trunks and on the branches. The crops of several examined 

 contained caterpillars, grubs, beetles, and a few moths. 



The Sugar Bird, or Zuiker Vogel. 



(Genus — Promerops.) 



Diet. — The sweet juices of the flowers of the protea, aloe, 

 heath, honeysuckle, etc. ; also a large variety of insects. They 

 are very expert at catching flies and other winged insects. 

 The sugar bird is a valuable insect eater. It also plays an 

 important part in the fertilisation of the protea and other shrubs 

 by carrying the pollen from plant to plant. 



The Sun Bird, or Honeysucker. 



(Genera — Nectarinia^ Cinnyris^ and Anthothreptes.) 



Diet. — The sun birds, of which there are a considerable 

 number of species inhabiting South Africa, all feed on small 

 insects and the nectar of flowers. They are valuable agents 

 in the fertilisation of plants by transporting pollen on their 

 heads. Sun birds prey largely on flies and other winged pests. 

 Sun birds are all of the utmost possible economic value. 



The White Eye. 

 Witte-Oogie, Glas-Oogie, Karre-Oogie, Kers-Oogie. 



(Genus — Zosterops.) 



Diet. — The white eye, when not breeding, is invariably 

 seen in small flocks. They make a systematic search of shrubs 

 and trees for insects, peering into flowers, cracks in the bark, 

 under leaves, on twigs, etc. These birds perform invaluable 

 services in ridding shrubs and trees of larvas and adult insects, 

 as well as the eggs. They also prey largely on some of the 



